Marouane Fellaini Reflects on His ‘Worst Ever’ Season at Man Utd
Marouane Fellaini, the former midfielder of Manchester United, has recently opened up about what he describes as the “worst season” of his career. The 36-year-old Belgian joined the Red Devils in 2013 after spending five years at Everton, but his first season at the club was far from impressive. Fellaini made just 21 appearances and failed to leave a lasting impression on the fans.
The midfielder was signed by David Moyes, who had recently made the switch from Goodison Park to Old Trafford himself. Unfortunately, Moyes was sacked following Man Utd’s disastrous run of form during that season. Fellaini admits that this seven-month period was a “nightmare” and the lowest point of his 17-year career.
In an interview with MUTV, Fellaini said, “The first year at Manchester United was very difficult for me because I was the first signing after the era of Ferguson and it was not easy.” He added, “I’m honest and I always said that the first year was very difficult for me, but for the team too. We had a bad season.”
Joining a big club like Manchester United after five successful years at Everton took a toll on Fellaini mentally. He explained, “You know, for me, it was the worst [season] in my career, my first year in Manchester. After that, it was much, much better.”
Despite his challenging start at Man Utd, Fellaini never criticized David Moyes. He acknowledges that Moyes gave him a chance in England and played him in almost every game during their time together at Everton. Fellaini’s loyalty and gratitude towards Moyes are evident as he spoke fondly of their relationship.
Following Moyes’ departure and Ryan Giggs’ interim spell, Louis van Gaal was appointed as United’s permanent manager. When Van Gaal arrived, he made it clear to Fellaini that he did not consider him a top choice player. However, Fellaini remained determined and focused on improving his game. He said, “In my head, I was saying: ‘Let’s train and we will see in the end what happens.’ After that, [within] one week, 10 days, maximum two weeks, I started to play.”
Fellaini went on to spend five-and-a-half years at Man Utd, making 177 first-team appearances. During his time at the club, he became a cult hero among the fans for his unique playing style and ability to score crucial goals. In 2019, he joined Shandong Taishan in China, where he continued to make an impact with 50 goals in 141 appearances.
Last month, Fellaini announced his retirement from professional football. In a heartfelt statement, he expressed his gratitude for the incredible journey he had experienced throughout his career. He mentioned his pride in representing Standard in Belgium, Everton and Manchester United in the UK, and Shandong Taishan in China. Fellaini also highlighted his honor in playing for the Belgian national team in major tournaments such as the Olympics, Euro 2016, and the World Cups of 2014 and 2018.
As Fellaini reflects on his time at Manchester United, it is clear that his first season with the club was a challenging period. However, he overcame these difficulties and went on to have a successful career both at Man Utd and abroad. His dedication and determination serve as an inspiration to aspiring footballers worldwide.